Seems like nowadays we constantly find ways to avoid responsibility and lack the motivation to complete tasks. Or, maybe it’s just me, but I would like to think I’m not the only one who finds herself watching thirteen episodes of "One Tree Hill" instead of getting my life together. But the question is; how do we beat this slump we fall into when we are not motivated to do anything, much less actual assignments? Here are the few things I do to motivate myself to getting my stuff done.
1. Stay away from Netflix.
Hide that app and all other streaming sites away from you, on all of your devices. Once you open that thing up, you will get stuck and soon you’ll have finished the series because you’ll be mad at all characters and you’ll have to finish it to make sure everyone turned out OK. Just, avoid the urge to start a show until you're completely done with your work. The “just one more episode” will turn into “just one more season.” It will, I promise.
2. Listen to one of your favorite playlists while you work on your least favorite assignment.
I like to listen to a little Fall Out Boy, Fetty Wap, and A Day To Remember while doing calculus. And statistics. And my science for non-science majors class. OK, I actually listen to music while doing all things class-related. But, I find it helps when I listen to some of my favorite songs when working on the classes I like the least so that I can enjoy something about all the work I have to do.
3. Remember your end goal.
Are you going to use the quadratic formula everyday as a nurse or a physical therapist? Probably not, but your end goal is to get an education to qualify you for your dream job. When the material gets tough or you feel like an assignment is pointless and a waste of your time, remember that you have to pass the class (or make an A) to move onto the stuff you’re actually interested in.
4. Keep your phone on the opposite side of the room.
If your phone is out of arm’s reach, you probably won’t get up to check it at every notification. Fewer distractions means more focus on your work. If it’s right next to you while you try to write your paper, you’re going to end up switching through the same three social media apps for three hours. Then you’ll panic because it’s 10:54 and your ten-page research paper is due at 11:59. Don't do that to yourself, you will be sad.
5. Change your scenery every now and then.
Sitting in the same place for ten hours is not healthy, nor effective in my opinion. Switch the way you’re sitting or change your seat to stare at a different wall at least once every three hours. If you’re at your desk in your room, try going to the library or a common room to be around something other than your bed.
6. Avoid taking naps between assignments.
I mean, if you haven’t slept in the past 38 hours, then by all means go take a nap. But, if you’re like me, once you fall asleep, you won’t wake back up for another six hours. And, on the off chance you do wake up in forty-five minutes, you’ll be miserable and complain about how tired you are for the next five hours, which is equally ineffective.
Although these aren’t foolproof ways to help you get your stuff done, it can’t hurt to try. Especially if you don’t know how else to find motivation. It’s worth a shot, right?
